Tool for cutting metal strap



W. E- NORTHCUTT TOOL FOR CUTTING METAL STRAP Aug 18, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheei 1 Filed June 20, 1951 MMM,

AT TORNEYS Ange 3953 w. E. NORTHCUTT 2,643,901

TOOL FOR CUTTING METAL sTR Filed June' 20, 1951 g Shets-$heet 2 INVE NTOR W611 E l- E NUFLhl: L1H

AT TORNEYS Patented Aug. 18, 1953 TOOL FOR CUTTING METAL STRAP Walter E. Northcutt, Kankakee, Ill., assignor to Manco Mfg. 00., Bradley, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June 20, 1951, Serial No. 232,565

3 Claims. 1

' The present invention relates to cutting tools and particularly to tools for cutting metal strap and the like.

Thin metal strap has long been used in place of ropes or the like as reinforcing or fastening means in the packaging of articles. Normally, this strap is wrapped about the exterior of a box or the like packaging container, is tightened and the ends of the strap secured together in a well known manner. Depending upon the method of fastening the ends of the strap, trimming of the ends of the strap may be required. The tool of the present invention is particularly adapted for trimming the ends of the strap and for cutting metal strap when it is desired to unpack the article.

While metal strap has unexcelled qualities and attributes for the use described, its use has been somewhat curtailed due to the fact that it is difficult to remove or cut the strap from the container with which it is associated. The strap snugly engages the container and it is exceedingly difiicult to force a tool of any usual design, such as a tin snip'or pliers, under the strap to cut the same. A cutting instrument, such as a knife, saw or ax, cannot be used because of the danger of damaging the container and the article within the container.

Various tools have been proposed for cutting metal strap, the most practical of which utilize one cutting head that is flatfor ready and convenient insertion under the metal strap to be out. These tools, like the tool of the present invention, comprise, in general, a pair of pivotally connected arms presenting hand grips at one end and cutting heads at the other end. The arms are connected so that movement of the hand grips toward one another effects movement of the heads toward one another. One head of the tool is flat, as described, for ready insertion under a metal strap and the other head is provided with a sharpened cutting edge cooperating with the flat head to provide the desired cutting action.

Even with these tools, however, when attempting to cut metal strap, difficulty has been encountered, particularly when the tool is dull, or the pivotal connection of the tool arms is loose, or the strap is loose, in that the strap will merely be bent rather than being cut. To effect a cutting action it is essential that the strap remain fiat.

An object of the present invention is to provide means associated with the flat tool head for retaining the strap on the head in a flat condition so that the strap may be readily cut, even with a relatively dull tool.

A further object of the invention isto provide,

2 a cutting tool of the character described having a removable guide plate for retaining strap to be cut on the flat head of the tool, the guide plate being readily removed for replacement or repair, or to render the tool usable for functions other than cutting thin metal strap.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation from one side of the cutting tool;

Figure 2 is a side elevation from the other side of the cutting tool;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the cutting tool; and

Figure 4 is a partial sectional view, on an em larged scale, taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure l.

Referring now to the drawings, a pair of arms I0 and [2 are pivotallyconnected together intermediate their ends, but toward their forward ends. One arm I0 is substantially straight and the other arm I2 is provided with an arcuate portion so that the arms intersect one another. Due to the fact that the arms intersect one another, movement of adjacent ends thereof toward one another will effect movement of the opposite ends of the arms toward one another. The arm l2, provided with the arcuate portion, is also provided with-a laterally offset portion adjacent the point of pivotal connection so that the arms extend rearwardly from the pivotal connection in substantial vertical alignment, as shown in Figure 3. Cooperating abutment portions are provided on the arms adjacent the offset portion of the arm l2 to limit movement of the arms toward one another. At their rearward ends, the arms I 0 and I2 are provided with handle portions [4 and [6, respectively, which extendgenerally parallel to one another in spaced relation. I

The arm 10 is provided at its outer end with a generally triangular head l8, the edges of which are sharpened to provide a cutting edge. In the preferred construction, only the lower edge 20 of the head [8 is sharpened to provide a cutting edge or blade. The lower edge 29 of the head l8 preferably has a slight curvature so as to provide for a better cutting action.

The arm I 2 is provided at its forward end with a flat head 22 of substantial width tapering downward to a knife edge at itsforward end so as to be readily slid or positioned beneath a strap or the like to be cut. The head 22 has a flat bottom of substantial area adapted to engage the box or container to provide a firm support for the tool during cutting and to prevent tilting of the tool with respect to the strap to be cut. As best shown in Figures 2 and 4, the fiat head 22 is provided with a planar side surface 24, which surface extends rearwardly toward the pivotal connection of the arms. The surface 25 is preferably machined so as to provide a perfectly flat surface adapted to cooperate with the cutting edge 2!! of the head [8 on the arm [0. As shown in the drawings, the head l8 has a planar surface abutting the planar surface 24 on the head 22. The cutting edge 29 is adapted to be moved, upon relative movement of the arms II! and I2, into abutting engagement with the planar surface 24 on the head 22. As the cutting edge or blade passes the edge defined by the junction of the surface 24 and the top surface of the head 22, any article positioned on top of the head 22 and extending over the edge thereof will be severed by the cutting blade 20.

At its rearward end, adjacent the pivotal connection of the arms, the flat head 22 is provided with an enlarged boss 25 presenting a flat upper surface. A guide, hold-down or stop plate 28, preferably a steel stamping, is positioned along side the handle l2 and has a flat lower surface or edge portion engaging the upper surface of the boss 26 to prevent rotation of the plate 28 with respect to the arm [2 and the head 22. The guide plate 28 comprises a base plate and a laterally projecting-tab or flange 39. The base plate of the guide plate 28 has a portion normally overlying the flat head 22 and the tab or flange 36 is provided on the plate at this point to overlie the flat head 22 in spaced parallel relation to the upper surface of the head 22. The tab or flange 30 of the guide plate 28 defines a groove or slot between itself and the upper surface of the flat head 22 for the reception of a strapor the like to be cut by the tool. The flange 3D constitutes a stop or abutment for preventing displacement of the strap with respect to the top of the fiat head 22. As previously stated, one decided difficulty encountered heretofore is the tendency of the strap to bend when force is applied thereto. To effectively cut the strap, it is particularly advantageous that the strap be maintained in fiat condition so that the cutting edge 20 may perform an effective cutting action. The guide plate 28 provides the necessary stop or abutment means for retaining the strap in the desired condition on the top surface of the head 22, and the bottom of the head provides a firm support for the tool.

The arms ii) and [2 are pivotally connected, and the plate 28 is removably secured to the arm l2, by a pivot pin in the form of a bolt 32 provided with a locking nut 34. The bolt and nut may be of any desired known construction, but it is preferred that means be provided capable of effectively retaining the arms in abutting relationship and yet capable of adjustment for compensating for wear between the abutting portions of the two arms so that looseness in the pivotal connection of the arms may be avoided.

Each of the arms Ill and I2 is preferably provided, adjacent the handle portion thereof, with opposed projections or studs for the reception of a compression spring 36 of well known construction. The spring is adapted to force the two arms and the cutting heads apart so that same are continuously in readiness for the reception of the metal strap therebetween. The spring may beof any desired construction and may be utilized as desired.

In construction, the arms l0 and I2 are preferably steel forgings having the cutting heads formed integrally therewith. It will be appreciated, however, that the cutting heads may be separable from the arms and removably secured thereto for replacement as and when desired. The arms are preferably of relatively heavy section at the point of pivotal interconnection to prevent displacement of the cutting heads. The guide plate 28 is preferably in the form of a steel stamping and is preferably associated with the arm [2 by means of the pivot bolt connecting the arms. Should the guide become damaged, it may be readily removed for repair or replacement. In instances where it may be desired to use the tool for cutting articles other than thin metal strap, such as sheet metal of substantial width, the guide may be removed to accommodate the reception of such other articles on the head 22.

While I have described What I regard to be a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications and rearrangements may be made in the structure described and disclosed, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a tool for cutting metal strap, two arms, a bolt pivotally connecting said arms adjacent their forward ends, a lower cutting head extending forwardly from one of said arms and having a substantially flat upper face and an upwardly extending boss at the rear of said face adjacent and below said bolt, a stop member extending about said bolt secured between the head thereof and the outer side of said one arm and seating on said boss both rearwardly and forwardly of the axis of said bolt effective for restraining said stop member against turning about said bolt, said stop member extending forwardly of said bolt and being provided with a lateral projection extending outwardly of said lower head and overlying and spaced from said flat upper face thereof defining therewith a slot open at its forward end for reception of metal strap to be cut, and an upper cutting head extending forwardly from the other arm and cooperating with said lower head for cutting metal strap disposed in said slot and on said upper face of said lower head.

2. In a tool for cutting metal strap, two arms, a pivot member pivotally connecting said arms adjacent their forward ends, a lower cutting head extending forwardly from one of said arms and having a flat upper face and an upwardly extending boss at the rear of said face adjacent and below said pivot member, said boss extending both forwardly and rearwardly beyond said pivot member andhaving a flat upper face, said flat upper face of said lower cutting head extending laterally outward beyond the forward end of said one arm, a stop member comprising a flat plate mounted on said pivot member and seating on the outer side face of the forward end portion of said one arm, said plate having a straight lower edge seating on the upper face of said boss both forwardly and rearward of said pivot member and in cooperation with said boss restraining said plate against turning movement about said pivot member, said plate having at its forward portion a flat flange overlying said flat upper face of said lower head in parallel spaced relation thereto and defining therewith a slot for reception, of metal strap tobe cut, and an upper cutting head extending from the forward end of the other arm and cooperating with said lower head for cutting metal strap extending through said slot and between said heads.

3. In a tool for cutting metal strap, two arms, a pivot member pivotally connecting said arms adjacent their forward ends, a lower cutting head extending forwardly from one of said arms and having a flat upper face and an upwardly extending boss at the rear of said face adjacent and below said pivot member, said boss extending both forwardly and rearwardly beyond said pivot member and said fiat upper face of said lower cutting head extending laterally outward beyond the forward end of said one arm, a stop member comprising a plate mounted on said pivot member and seating on the outer side face of the forward end portion of said one arm, said plate contacting said boss both forwardly and rearwardly of the axis of said pivot member effective for restraining said plate against turning movement about said pivot member, said plate having at its forward portion a flange with a substantially horizontal fiat under face of substantial area overlying said upper flat face of said lower head and defining therewith a slot for reception of metal strap to be cut, and an upper cutting head extending from the forward end of the other arm and cooperating with said lower head for cutting metal strap extending through said slot and between said heads.

WALTER E. NORTHCUTT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 974,118 Burke Nov. 1, 1910 1,594,671 Isaac Aug. 3, 1926 1,862,033 Porter June '7, 1932 2,190,911 Nebel Feb. 20, 1940 2,391,598 Serdich Dec. 25, 1945 2,459,864 Bissett et al. Jan. 25, 1949 2,623,281 Scott Dec. 30, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 161,791 France Mar. 2'7, 1934 

